Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill at Least 30 Amid Ceasefire Tensions Ahead of Rafah Border Reopening
GAZA CITY — Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes across Gaza on January 31, 2026, targeting terrorist operatives and weapons infrastructure following what the military described as a violation of the ongoing ceasefire. According to the IDF, the strikes were a direct response to the detection of eight terrorists emerging from underground terror tunnels in eastern Rafah, a critical area near the Egypt-Gaza border.
The IDF reported that four commanders and several militants affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad were targeted, along with a weapons storage facility. Additionally, a weapons manufacturing site and two rocket launch sites in central Gaza were struck. These operations came as tensions escalated just days before the scheduled reopening of the Rafah border crossing, a key transit point that has been closed since May 2024.
Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reported that at least 30 Palestinians were killed in the strikes, with casualties including civilians such as women and children. Hospital officials confirmed that among the dead were two women and six children from two separate families. The director of Shifa Hospital, Mohamed Abu Selmiya, stated that an airstrike on a police station in Gaza City alone resulted in at least 14 fatalities and several injuries.
The strikes follow a period of fragile calm that has been punctuated by intermittent ceasefire breaches. The IDF maintained that their operations were defensive, aiming to neutralize threats posed by militant groups who have repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements. The military’s actions underscore the complexity of maintaining peace in the region as diplomatic efforts continue.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been engaged in high-level talks aimed at establishing a “unified Gazan authority” as part of a broader peace initiative. These discussions are occurring in Miami and are closely tied to the reopening of the Rafah crossing under a peace plan endorsed by former President Trump. The reopening is seen as a critical step toward easing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and facilitating movement for civilians.
The situation remains volatile, with international observers closely monitoring developments. The U.S. Department of State has reiterated calls for restraint from all parties to prevent further escalation. The United Nations continues to advocate for humanitarian access and protection of civilians amid ongoing hostilities.
As the Rafah border crossing prepares to reopen, the risk of renewed conflict looms large. The IDF’s recent strikes highlight the persistent challenges in enforcing ceasefires and the fragile nature of peace efforts in Gaza. With civilian lives caught in the crossfire, the international community faces mounting pressure to support diplomatic solutions that can bring lasting stability to the region.
For continuous updates on the situation, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide ongoing assessments of security and humanitarian conditions in conflict zones worldwide.
Leave a Reply